Papillon vs Pekingese

Compare the Papillon to the Pekingese. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Papillons and Pekingese.

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - Both the Papillon and Pekingese are excellent choices for new or inexperienced owners.
  • Children - Both the Papillon and Pekingese are child friendly, but the Papillon is a better choice for young children.
  • Grooming - The Papillon is easy to groom. The Pekingese has very high grooming needs.
  • Barking - The Pekingese bark/howls frequently. The Papillon has an average level of barking.
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Papillon vs Pekingese
White & Red Papillon Dog
Pekingese Puppy
Breed NamePapillonPekingese
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicNoNo
Lifespan12-16 yrs.12-15 yrs.
Height8-11 in.6-9 in.
Weight4-9 lb7-14 lb
IntelligenceAverageAverage
History
Origin CountryFranceChina
Origin Year1500 AD20 BC
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodGood
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyGoodBelow Average
Pet FriendlyVery GoodBelow Average
Stranger FriendlyVery GoodBelow Average
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Loving
  • Willing To Please
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Jealous
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Stubborn
Living Environment
ApartmentYesYes
IndoorYesYes
Small YardNoNo
Medium YardNoNo
Large YardNoNo
Temperature Tolerance ¹50°F to 80°F55°F to 75°F
Barks/HowlsBelow AverageVery Often
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelHighLow-Medium
Exercise RequiredHighLow
Top Running Speed14 mph12 mph
StrengthLowLow
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceLowMedium
SheddingNone-LowHigh
DanderLowMedium
Drool AmountNoneNone

¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
Instincts & Behavior Comparison
Breed NamePapillonPekingese
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaYesYes
Family/PackNoNo
IndependentYesNo
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoNo
AverageYesYes
Focused & PatientNoNo
Breed Instincts
AggressionBelow AverageBelow Average
Burrow/DiggingBelow AverageBelow Average
ChasingBelow AverageBelow Average
Follow CommandsBelow AverageBelow Average
FightingVery LowVery Low
GuardingVery LowBelow Average
HerdingVery LowBelow Average
HuntingBelow AverageBelow Average
ProtectionVery LowBelow Average
Remove VerminAverageBelow Average
SleddingVery LowBelow Average
WatchAverageAverage
Health Comparison
Breed NamePapillonPekingese
Lifespan
Lifespan12-16 yrs.12-15 yrs.
Common Health Issues
Brachycephalic SyndromeNoYes
CataractsNoYes
Cleft PalateNoYes
Collapsed TracheaYesNo
CryptorchidismNoYes
DistichiasisNoYes
Ectopic CiliaNoYes
Ectopic CiliaNoYes
EntropionNoYes
Exposure Keratopathy SyndromeNoYes
HydrocephalusNoYes
HypoglycemiaYesNo
Intervertebral Disk DiseaseNoYes
Keratoconjunctivitis SiccaNoYes
Mitral Valve DiseaseNoYes
Open FontanelYesNo
Patellar LuxationYesYes
Progressive Retinal AtrophyYesYes
Appearance Comparison
Breed NamePapillonPekingese
Coat
HairYesNo
FurNoYes
Coat Type
Single CoatYesNo
Double CoatNoYes
Coat Texture
SilkyYesNo
StraightYesYes
WavyNoYes
Coat Length(s)
LongYesYes
Coat Color(s)
Black, Brown, & WhiteYesNo
Black, Red, & WhiteYesNo
Brown & WhiteYesNo
Fawn & WhiteYesNo
RedYesNo
Red, White, & SableYesNo
SableYesNo
WhiteYesYes
White & BlackYesNo
White & LemonYesNo
White & LiverYesNo
White & RedYesNo
White & SableYesNo
White & SilverYesNo
White, Black, & TanYesNo
BiscuitNoYes
BlackNoYes
Black & TanNoYes
CreamNoYes
FawnNoYes
Fawn BrindleNoYes
Fawn SableNoYes
GrayNoYes
Gray SableNoYes
Light RedNoYes
Red BrindleNoYes
Red SableNoYes